Things are going great and he feels like Mr. Right, but is it too soon to take him home for the holidays? Here are 6 clues to tell if your relationship is ready for meeting the parents. Plus, get tips for a drama-free holiday dinner...

Here’s a familiar holiday nightmare: You take your seat at the dinner table and dig into the feast. That’s when Aunt Martha asks – for the hundredth time – “Why are you still single, dear?”

No wonder you’re desperate to take home the man you’re dating. But should you?

Not if he isn’t ready, willing and thoroughly prepped to meet your parents, experts say.

Here are 6 clues that it’s time to bring a date into your circle of trust, plus tips on making it a happy gathering.

1. He makes room for you in his life.If he has made space for your stuff in the closet, it’s a sign he’s hoping you’ll stick around. And that makes him a good candidate for meeting the parents.

“It’s like a little security blanket that the relationship is there – even when you’re not,” Neumann says. “Plus, it shows he’s not afraid of someone else knowing that you’re in his life as well as his bureau.”

2. He says “we” a lot.Does he use the plural when discussing plans? When talking to others?

Then “he’s definitely in this [relationship] to see where it goes," Neumann says.

3. He volunteers information about his life. A sign of growing intimacy: He tells you what’s going on in his world, without prompting. Another sign is letting you know who he’s talking to on his cell phone.

“He wants you to know that he’s not hiding things from you,” Neumann says.

Another good sign: sharing career info, such as asking your advice about applying for a coveted position at work or telling you his salary.

“This shows that he sees you as trustworthy and believes you won’t judge him,” she says.

4. You’ve had the “Are we exclusive?” talk."Men can seem very monogamous and devoted, but it doesn’t mean they’re commitment-bound,” says Donna Sozio, the Los Angeles-based co-author of The Man Whisperer (Adams Media).

To know for sure if he’s with you for the long haul, you must have a conversation, Sozio says.

Here’s how: Set up a time to talk about your relationship together, Sozio says. Tell him you're into the relationship and want to know what he can commit to.

Then back off for a few hours or days for his reply.

If he says he’s not looking for a commitment now or wants to play the field, don’t take him home, Sozio advises. That's a clear sign he's not ready for meeting the parents, so don't suggest it.

5. He declares his commitment online.Has he taken down his Match.com profile or changed his Facebook status to “In a Relationship”?

“When a man is really smitten, he takes himself off the market,” says Kara Oh, author of the book Men Made Easy (Avambre Press).

Some men will wait a few months before proclaiming their love via social networking – others only need days.

If your squeeze seems skittish about “friending” you on social sites or taking your relationship public, watch out:

“A ‘player’ avoids declaring his status because he wants to leave his options open,” Oh says.

6. You're proud of him – no matter what.It’s easy to take home a doctor, corporate lawyer or Little League coach. Those guys are shoe-ins for meeting the parents.

But what if your guy doesn’t fit society’s model of success, and doesn’t make a six-figure salary, drive a Mercedes or use a smart phone?

That’s no reason to bar him from the family table, Oh says. It’s his overall quality that counts.

“Sometimes we write off somebody for something that’s irrelevant in the big scheme,” Oh says. “Maybe he's lost his job, and it’s only a matter of getting back on his feet.”

It’s a situation Oh faced when dating a man who described himself as “economically challenged.”

“But he's a really good guy,” she says. “I’d be very proud to introduce him to my family. In this tough economic time, that's something that comes up for many people.”

How to Have a Drama-Free DinnerIf you believe it's time for meeting the parents, here’s how to guarantee a relaxed, fun celebration for everyone.

1. Make the invitation casual. Be breezy, Sozio advises, by saying, “‘Hey, the folks are inviting us for the holidays. What do you think?’”

When you ask his opinion – instead of insisting on attendance – he won't feel backed into a corner, she says.

If he hesitates or starts giving excuses, let it go. Most times, he’ll think it over and then confirm the invitation, she adds.

But if he says “no” flat-out, don’t argue.

“Men have the right not to be ready,” she says.

2. Find out his likes and dislikes. Gather information about his interests and food preferences before bringing him home. That’ll prevent awkward situations at the gathering.

For example, you don’t want to find out he’s lactose-intolerant just as Mom serves her signature homemade cherry cheesecake.

3.Uncover his personal history. Make sure you know his background: Has he been married, divorced or arrested? Does he have kids?

You know which issues your family will accept and those that’ll raise eyebrows.

Rehearse potential problems – and family-friendly responses – before you take him home, Sozio says.

“Once he’s at the table, you can’t control what he’ll say,” she says.

4. Give him a crash course on your family.Think about what you would want to know about your family before meeting the parents for the first time. Any offbeat traditions or cultural or religious observances?

That’s so he won’t be embarrassed and your relatives won’t be offended, says Barbara Kennedy, M.S.W., a relationship coach in Scottsdale, Ariz., and author of Baby Boomer Men Looking for Love(Madison Avenue Publishers).

For example, alert him to grumpy relatives – or those with volatile political views – so he can be especially patient or avoid them, Kennedy says.

5. Make sure he’s comfortable in social situations. He may be finally meeting the parents, but will he blend in? Maybe your family enjoys a loud game of charades or touch football during the holidays. Or perhaps young children will be running amok.

Whatever the scene, your man needs to be able to go with the flow.

“Family gatherings require patience and flexibility,” Neumann says. “If your date is rigid, this will be one stressful holiday for everyone involved.”

Plus, he should join in with enthusiasm – even if he’s groaning on the inside.

“If he’s Mr. Right, he’ll learn to be a part of activities and family events that are important to you,” she says.

Above all, remember that “each time you introduce someone new into the familial mix, it won’t be forgotten for years to come,” Neumann cautions.

If this relationship fizzles, you may face years of embarrassment or teasing when you finally takehome Mr. Right.

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